Boiler Installation Guide

Need a new boiler?

In this article, we explore everything you need to know about a new boiler installation and look at other relevant subjects such as costs, what is involved in fitting a boiler, how long it takes, and whether the work can be undertaken DIY.

We'll also discuss the pros & cons of an installation, design ideas, how a boiler is maintained, and what you should consider when hiring a boiler specialist. Without further ado, let's get right into it.

What is Boiler Installation?

A boiler instalment entails connecting a boiler to the relevant pumps, fixing the pipes to water outlets and radiators, and hooking up the boiler to the cold water mains supply.

There may also be connections from the boiler to cold and hot water storage tanks.

Here's another thing…

A boiler is needed to provide heat via radiators or/and offer warmth to heat water. Boilers are popular for this reason.

Let's now discuss the different boiler types.

Types of Boiler

Heat Only Boiler

A regular heat only boiler (a.k.a conventional boiler) needs two tanks altogether in the attic as well as a hot water cylinder. The first tank provides cold water. The water is subsequently heated within the cylinder used to create and provide hot water.

With a heat-only boiler, it's possible to get hot water regardless of the water's pressure in the mains. You can have hot water for multiple sources simultaneously with this type of boiler too.

However, the pressure provided for showers is usually not that great, and a loss of heat can occur from the stored water when the boiler is not being used. It costs about £500 to £1500 to fit a heat-only boiler.

Pros:

✔ Hot water even with low mains pressure

✔ Multiple hot showers are possible at the same time

Cons:

✖ Usually means poor flow pressure for showers

✖ Added space is needed for installing a boiler that is heat-only

Combi Boiler

A combi or combination boiler makes use of a single compact central heating boiler unit and water heater. The water heater would have a high level of efficiency.

Since combi boilers heat the water straight from the mains, a water storage tank is not required in the loft space. It costs about £500 to £2000 to have a combi boiler installed.

Pros:

✔ Relatively inexpensive to install

✔ Heats up water fast

✔ Highly efficient

✔ Safety

✔ Compact

Cons:

✖ Limited use of hot water

✖ It doesn't feature an immersion heater

✖ No option of a power shower

System Boiler

This type of boiler is a closed system. It only needs a cylinder and boiler, while a regular boiler employs header tanks located in the attic. It's therefore not surprising that a system boiler is simpler to install than a regular boiler.

In addition, system boilers are compatible with solar thermal energy. However, they require more room than a combi boiler, and the hot water will not be provided instantly. You'd need to set aside a budget of about £1000 to £2500 to have a system boiler installed.

Pros:

✔ Ease of installation

✔ No cold water tank required

✔ It tends to be the highest boiler cost of installation

Cons:

✖ Requires more room than a combi boiler

✖ Needs appropriate insulation for hot water tank

What Are the Pros and Cons of Installing a New Boiler?

As with any job, there is a mix of benefits and disadvantages worth considering. Let's take a look at some examples.

PROS

Improved Efficiency

One of the clearest positives to fitting a new boiler is that it will likely offer significantly improved efficiency over what you're currently getting.

The increased efficiency is not likely to be just down to purchasing a brand new product but also because of the improved efficiency of more modern boilers. As a general rule of thumb, the newer the model, the better the result.

Technical Upgrades

Buying a more modern boiler will also generally mean various technical upgrades.

Many modern boilers allow multi-zone heating, advanced scheduling of heating times in advance, and some of the most sophisticated boilers are internet-enabled, allowing users to set the heat on even while they are out of the house! But that's not all...

Changing Boiler Type

Fitting a new boiler is the perfect chance to install one that functions differently or/and is fuelled by a different heat source.

You may wish to change boiler type to improve efficiency, save on money, lower your carbon footprint, or a mix of these reasons, among other possible reasons to change a type of boiler.

CONS

Expenses

As with any installation work, there is a price tag to consider. Of course, some boilers cost more than others to install, not only because of the boiler type or fuel source but also in relation to the quality of the boiler/brand.

Additional costs and headaches could arise concerning building regulations and planning permission if special approval is needed.

How Much Does It Cost to Install a Boiler?

Here's the average cost of fitting a boiler:

• Heat Only Boiler Installation - £500 to £1500
• Combi Boiler Installation - £500 to £2000
• System Boiler Installation - £1000 to £2500
• Electric Boiler Installation - £1500 to £2500
• Condensing Boiler Installation - £1500 to £2500
• Oil Boiler Installation - £1200 to £3500
• Biomass Boiler Installation - £3000 to £14,000

There are also some additional jobs you may want to pay for, such as:

• Boiler Service - £50 to £90
• Move Radiator - £120 to £180
• Add New Radiator - £220 to £380
• Bleed 5-10 Radiators - £80 to £100
• Bleed 10-15 Radiators - £100 to £150

How to Install a Boiler

A boiler must be fitted by a Gas Safety Registered professional. You could, of course, deal with purchasing the materials and setting up new radiators (if applicable). Alternatively, you could hire a contractor to supply & fit.

Broadly speaking, a boiler instalment entails the following:

1. Survey the area and make the necessary preparations
2. Remove the old boiler
3. Fit the boiler and tanks
4. Lay the pipework
5. Fix the boiler to the pipework
6. The pipework can be hooked up to the radiators and tanks
7. The system should be tested
8. Clean-up

Performing this work DIY is illegal and can be hazardous, particularly if you are in any way working with gas. So you should hire a professional heating engineer for these reasons.

How Long Does It Take to Install a New Boiler?

We'll now look at the time frames involved in fitting new boilers. The duration will depend on various factors such as the size and type of boiler and the state of the work area.

Here's how long different boiler jobs usually take:

1. Boiler Replacement of an Old Unit of Any Size - 0.5-1 day
2. Fit a Small Boiler System - 0.5-1 days
3. Fit a Medium Boiler System - 1-2 days
4. Fit a Large Boiler System - 2-3 days

Building Regulations or Planning Permission Approval for Boiler Installation

There are a range of building regulations and planning permission rules that apply, all of which are listed on the Planning Portal. It should be noted that the Planning Portal is applicable to England and Wales. Thus rules can differ in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Building regulations approval is needed for the instalment of a new boiler. Either way, various regulations need to be taken into account. To replace a boiler, the rules listed in Approved Document J should be considered.

Planning permission approval is generally not required. This is true, so long as:

• Any flues on the side or rear elevation of a property cannot be more than one metre higher than the tallest section of the roof
• If a building is listed or situated in a designated area, it's best to contact the local council regarding a flue installation
• If you live in a World Heritage Site, national park, conservation area, or an area of outstanding natural beauty, as well as the Broads, flues should not be installed on the principal elevation of a property or its side elevation where it fronts a highway

Planning permission approval usually costs between £200 and £450, while building regulations approval and inspection tend to cost around £100 to £400.

How to Maintain a Boiler

Here are some ways to keep your boiler healthy over the years:

• Get it serviced annually
• Turn on the heating often enough
• Bleed your radiators once per year
• Balance your radiators
• Minimise the risk of blockages
• Keep an eye on your boiler pressure
• Stop the condensation pipe from freezing
• Fit a carbon monoxide alarm
• Hire professionals if you have any concerns (i.e. smell a gas leak)

Boiler Repairs

Of course, even with the best efforts to preserve a boiler, repairs will eventually be needed.

Here's a look at different boiler repair costs:

• Boiler Service - £50 to £90
• Replacing a Boiler - £500 to £2500

Questions to Ask When Hiring a Boiler Specialist

What to ask a heating engineer/company before hiring:

• Are you Gas Safety Registered?
• What is your experience?
• Do you have any references?
• Do you offer insurance?
• Can you provide me with a boiler installation quote?
• Are there any hidden/additional charges?

Here's another thing…

It is best to acquire three quotes from separate contractors/companies as well as some references from each before coming to a decision. That way, you'll increase your chances of hiring an above-average heating engineer while also hopefully securing a decent deal.

FAQs

Sources

https://www.centralheating-quotes.com/boiler-service/boiler-installation/
https://www.theheatinghub.co.uk/guide-to-boiler-types-combi-heat-only-system
https://www.myboilerservice.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-combi-boilers
https://www.boilerguide.co.uk/articles/system-boiler-vs-combi-boiler-pros-cons
https://www.viessmann.co.uk/heating-advice/what-is-a-heat-only-boiler
https://hasslefreeboilers.com/whats-difference-system-heat-boiler/
https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/blog/2018/08/new-boiler-cost
https://www.self-build.co.uk/planning-hidden-costs/
https://hoa.org.uk/advice/guides-for-homeowners/i-am-improving/do-i-need-building-regulations/